Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-11-04
CHAPTER XVI.

Perhaps three-quarters OF an hour after
tho "Namovna" had captured her prize, while
the shores of Brittany were fast receding
in the distance, the Princess regained her
consciousness. She did not seem to rea-
lize her situation Immediately; but soon
memory returned, and she sprang to her
feet, her checks scarlet with Indignation
and her whole being quivering with anger.
She saw, seated in the adjoining room,
busily occupied with some duty on other,
Blanche, the maid whom the steward had
secured in Paris. To her she appealed in
perfect torrent of hasty words:
"Why am treated thusl Who're am II
Who are youl Do you know who l amt am
the Princess Natalie"
"ge quiet, my dear lady. You can do
nothing. You are comfortably settled. l
am your maid. Pray, calm YOURSELF" COM
placently said the woman, a strong, hearty
red-cheelled widow Of about forty. -G
Every one on the "Namovnan was care
fully informed that this young girl was
FairfaI's relative, whose mind had become
a little unsettled by recent illness, and
that, for the sake of greater privacy, he
was conveying her to her American home
on Mr.. Nobbitt's yacht
She glanced around. This was, clearly,
the cabin Of steamer. She could feel tho
throbbing Of the screw and the rolling Of
the boat on the waves. Yet, only ten min
utes ago-at least so it seemed to her-she
lind been riding among her beloved hills OF
Brittany, several miles from the sca-coast.
She remembered the old peasant-woman and
the rude grasp from behind, the horrible
sensation Of choking, and then-all was
blaclness and blank.
She looked again. There was the pleas
ant and comoly faced maid, with her honest,
motherly face, bending over the table in the
adjoining saloon. Here was horc own
cabin, adorned with all sorts Of lovely pict-
ures, many OF them familiar. Some repre-
scented scenes in Brittany, others in Swift
erland, or Italy, and-could she believe her
Dyes There was photograph Of her own
fathers palace, ..-..
Electric lamps lighted the vessel. Ele-
giant oil paintings hung on the walls.
Shelves, filed with books, attracted the eye.
An easel, with canvas stretched ready for
uso, stood in the corner, and close by were
paints, palette and brushes.
A fine piano stood opposite. A song lay
on the rack Natalie started in surprise
It was, Of course again the 'Addio," and
here she sprang forward and gave cry OF
genuine delight. Suspended by a silk rib
bon and resting against the song was her
lost palette knife. A note was attached TO
it. The envelope bore the words: "For tho
Princess Natalie.n i
Sheopened it and read:
"Do not be afraid. You can not under
stand. Only trust and all will be well.
You will be treated as becomes Princess. |
Your family has been communicated with
and informed Of your safety. In a few |
days you may expect TO hear from them"
She turned 10 look at the wall behind her. |
Her surprise was complete when she rec
ognized Lydia in the elegant portrait hang
ing over her head. lydia was noted
beauty of the English pecrage, and Fairfax
had found this engraving, among others, in
n Paris art storey
She began to experience a desire 10 ex-
plore her prison. Blanche made no objec-
ton when she proposed going out on deck
and around the vessel
As she was passing toward tho bow, she
heard joyous neigh, and looking towards